Although Faust's appearance is bizarre, he's a surprisingly fundamental spacing character that uses abusive normals and random items to keep his opponent at bay. Faust also has a command grab (proximity unblockable) and a variety of overheads which, combined with various items, make for a deadly oki(post knockdown) game. Faust has both straight-forward combos and game plan which makes him a strong choice for beginners to pick up, while the focus on fundamentals means he's also difficult to master.

1 frame faster than 2P and has good range for a jab. Useful for keeping up pressure, starting combos, and anything else you'd expect a jab to do, but be careful because characters like Sol can 6P it or low-profile it.

An amazing jump-checker and anti-air that can catch IADs or to space against taller characters. Because it has several active frames and recovers quickly it is a great move to keep on hand in neutral, but characters can usually run under it pretty easily.

Faust's most notorious poke gets even longer in Xrd. Has a long recovery, so watch for jumping and make sure it tags your opponent. Some characters can low profile or 6p it. Despite this, f.S is an absolute staple in Faust's arsenal. Cancelling max range f.S into item throw is a great way to get Faust's game started.

2k has 3 parts that all hit low. It's your best move to use meaty and can be used on occasion as an anti-air. It's the epitome of versatility that really only doesn't function as a poke. Great for frame traps, and links into 2p for a combo.

An ok anti-air among many great ones, 2S is usually only used in combos, particularly into air combos. It's minus 7 on block, so try not to end pressure with it, and make sure you are in range when you use it.

Now that 2H hits low, it can be a great toe-checker in corner pressure, but as a poke it still plays second cousin to f.S. Gets good damage in combos, and is one of 3 of Faust's moves that will combo into 236S and if you get a counter hit, 41236K.

mid-air jab, though j.K usually does j.P's job better. Recovers quickly though, so can be useful as a visual facade to catch opponents with j.H. Can keep your opponent blocking with j.P j.K j.P j.K etc.

j.D is a great jump-in when directly above your opponent, and has a decent hitbox under Faust that is able to cross-up. It can be cancelled into Going My Way (236H) low to the ground, which can be safe or advantageous. Depending on how much time you have after a knockdown, you can instant air dash > drill cancel > j.D for an ambiguous crossup, and then RC for a mixup/Damage.

Another of many good anti-airs, and the only one blessed with above-knees invuln, but don't rely on it because there is a frame of vulnerability before startup. Always cancel into item throw if you can, because either way it'll lead into a combo (see combo section below).

Deceptive overhead with an odd starting animation that catches many off guard.

6H is an extremely long range overhead that leads to huge damage as a starter. Slightly faster than his other grounded overhead, but not as fast as drill cancel j.K. It's a very tempting move to throw out, but be careful because it has huge recovery if whiffed, and can very punishable if not canceled. One of 3 moves that will combo into 236S and if you get a counter hit, 41236K.

This move will send faust twirling in a down forward angle at any point of his jump. It's a great move to use in pressure low to the ground, and will produce much hitstun on counter hit for an easy combo. It's also the "drill" in Faust's drill cancel, and it great to use after drill cancel j.K. (must jump cancel into)

As with all other 2Ds it'll knockdown, so it's a good way to start oki. Slightly shorter than 2H so it's a bit less useful as your extended low, but it'll combo after 5P on crouching opponents which is good at certain ranges.

The closest thing to a meterless reversal Faust has, but try to only use if you see something with a long whiff recovery. A frame slower than his other grounded overhead; It's shorter, and a bit easier to see, but it doesn't suffer as much recovery on whiff. New to Xrd, Faust can also hit items he throws out for a home-run (knocks item up and off screen) or a bunt (angle varies depending on item and timing).

Rerere is great to cancel into after long range pokes since it pushes them back, and leads to good damage if it connects. Despite being negative, it's unpunishable on block. Items might ruin or change the combo, and many players will try to burst after "Pull Back" so be ready to adapt. Also after "Pull Back" you can link a normal for an alternative combo, which can be useful if they hit something on the way over.

Be careful throwing it often, because it has a lengthy recovery on whiff, and can be easily low-profiled or stuffed at full range easily by some characters.

HackNSlash is a "proximity unblockable" which actually just functions as a handy command grab. The move activates(or whiffs) on the first frame, and will hit the opponent even if they jump. Can be followed into good damage in the corner. Also even though you treat it like a command grab, HackNSlash is burstable.

Used primarily to cancel into after jump-ins or j.2k for gimmicks and pressure. If you touch the ground in the animation it'll recover quickly, but if the animation finishes in the air it's extremely vulnerable.

All versions are punishable, all have lengthy startup, and all can be avoided or blocked by jumping forward and holding back in the air. Front hits in front, Behind crosses them up, and Above tracks them and hits overhead. Where the moves really excel lies in the fact that you can YRC them before or after the teleport. This lets you teleport next to your opponent anywhere on screen and react to whatever they are doing for a punish. The moves are still gimmicky as hell though, so use them infrequently to maintain the surprise factor.

Forward can be used as an occasional frame trap, but players generally won't tolerate it for long.

Backward helps you avoid some attacks when you are on the pogo, so use if you think they'll dp you or something.

Short hop can bring you closer to the opponent faster than Forward can, and can get you in range for the P and S pogo moves. If you YRC the hop, you have enough space for a j.K which grants you a typical empty jump mixup.

Doctor Copter is an rare combo tool, but horribly unsafe at neutral. holding up lets you fly higher and will give your opponent more time to punish.

Cancel is the safest and most reliable move on pogo. You have more options on the ground, but if you are on the pogo in neutral without items, you are probably about to be punished regardless.

I'm a Flower(S) is no longer the staple in corner combos it was in AC, but it still sees rare use. The low in the h/l mixup Faust has on pogo.

Going My Way(H) is what you'll usually be pressing for combos. It can catch them when they try to jump towards your pogo, But don't count on it. It's horrible on block to boot.

What Could This Be?(D) is a handy and incredibly fast way to get items out while on pogo. If you are on pogo and there isn't an item out, it could be a good time to throw, but you might want to have the meter to YRC it first too.

Love is Faust's one reliable projectile, and it covers a decent angle below you. It is vulnerable to run-under against most characters or air-to-airs, so don't throw it out often if they aren't dealing with items.

Hammer is a decent item that covers air space just above Faust's 6P range. Will sometimes catch approaching opponents and builds good stun. Also getting a hammer after a 6P hit on an aerial opponent lets you continue a combo meterless.

This should be one of your favorite items. Chibi Faust will float towards the ground, and start marching forward when he lands. It has a hitbox as soon as it starts floating, and it can be beat out by projectiles, but few can even hit it on the ground. Chibi Faust enables Faust's setplay and will either force your opponent on the defensive, or cause him to jump and potentially get caught by an anti-air.

Bomb has no hitbox until it explodes, and will hurt you and the other guy. Getting the bomb is a good time to take to the sky and try to get an air throw or air-to-air. If they decide to block it on the ground, throw him some love and get some pressure, and if they get hit you get to follow up with a combo. Not a bad item to get

After a short delay, meteors fall from the sky towards your opponent. There is some tracking, but if they jump over or run towards you they've probably avoided it. Either way, try to catch them in whatever they are doing, because you have the field.

Only active after startup, Poison... poisons on hit. It has good vertical reach, and it is great for tick throws because it has minimal blockstun. If they do take the poison, it could be frugal to play the lame game until the poison runs out, because it disappears if they hit you.

The weight is very similar to the hammer, but drops much quicker and is unblockable for you and your opponent when it hits the ground (still blockable in the air). So jump and see if you can't get an air-to-air. Also getting a weight after a 6P hit on an aerial opponent lets you continue a combo meterless.

When the oil drum hits the ground oil spills out into a reasonable area. The oil slows movement and causes a slight slide. Any fire-based attack will set it off, and the explosion hits high in the air, and is similar to the bomb in that you get a combo if it hits.

The jump pad will fall to the ground, and will launch either player if they touch it. Also, both players can be launched simultaneously if they are both touching the pad when activated. On hit it'll launch one high into the air in an untechable state. If you are hit, you can tech when you are falling, which I suggest doing as soon as they try to catch you in the air, otherwise you are vulnerable to typical anti-air tactics.

If you use a meaty above the jump pad or otherwise push the opponent into it, it is possible to combo after the hit. You have very little time however, and the damage is heavily prorated.

Black hole pulls Faust, the opponent, and any items on the field into it. While this can be useful in a few situations, generally it just forces Faust into close range with their opponent which against some characters can be a very bad thing. Jumping will be abbreviated, and most air combos will fail. You get a few extra combo routes while the black hole is out however, so it isn't altogether bad.

100% Version Item startup at 4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40 (throws LOTS of items)

Faust generally uses meter on Roman Cancels against competent players, but if you are feeling frivolous go ahead and use one.

The 100T weight can knock you down before you recover if thrown early, Bombs can blow you up in the 100% version, black hole will pull you towards your ensemble, Bombs destroy other items, Jump pad can save someone who'd otherwise be forced to block, You sometimes get a helium party, and multiple items tend to be redundant.